Illness takes its toll on Men's 2nds

The constant shuffling of players and effects of illness finally caught up with Halifax who produced their worst display by far of the season to succumb to lowly Rotherham, who previously had not managed a single victory so far in the league.

Once again, Halifax could not field the same side as the previous week and they travelled to South Yorkshire with a stand in goalkeeper and four fresh faces. The defeat was in no way the blame of the temporary stopper, the responsibility for the loss lay squarely on the shoulders of the outfield players.

It took twenty five minutes for the visitors to string together more than a couple of passes and by that time they were a goal in arrears. The ball was frequently passed off the pitch and nearly all 50/50 challenges were lost. The shock of falling a goal down to the bottom of the league spurred a response and from their first well constructed attack Ryan Dransfield scored.

The half time team talk was surprisingly subdued and not even a rallying call from Graham Rogers could awaken Fax from their slumbers. Carrying four players recovering from flu just seemed a bridge too far.
More by luck than judgement, the vistors took the lead with Sam Spencer drilling the ball home from a short corner. At this point Halifax enjoyed their best spell, but poor decision making was too frequent and meant possession was not turned into goals.

Rotherham rallied whist Fax dallied and equalised after some shocking defending. Worse was to follow when with minutes remaining the home side took the lead when the home umpire was unprepared to accept that an infringement had occurred at the top of the D.

The silience in the visitors changing room and the look on the players' faces said it all.